Turret anvil riveting machine

ABSTRACT

A RIVETING MACHINE HAVING A RECIPROCABLE, SPINNING HEAD FOR TERMINALLY DEFORMING THE SHANK OF A RIVET SUPPORTED ON AN ANVIL IS PROVIDED WITH A ROTATING TURRET MECHANISM FOR ADJUSTING THE AXIAL SEPARATION BETWEEN THE ANVIL AND THE SPINNING HEAD. THE TURRET IS FORMED AS A ROTATABLE TURRET PLATE HAVING A NUMBER OF UPSTANDING ABUTMENT MEMBERS, SUCH AS BOLTS, WHICH SELECIVELY ENGAGE A CAM SHOE FORMED ON THE LOWER END OF AN AXIALLY RECIPROCABLE ANVIL. THE HEIGHTS OF THE ABUTMENT MEMBERS MAY BE PRESET TO REQUIRED DIFFERENT VALUES OR SUCH ABUTMENT MEMBERS MAY BE ADJUSTABLY MOUNTED ON THE TURRET PLATE SO THAT THEIR HEIGHTS CAN BE ADJUSTED AS REQUIRE.

Oct. 12, 1971 -w. v. GERTH TURRET ANVIL RIVETING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 16. 1970 .4 Y INV/JN'IHR WILLIAM v. GERTH Oct. 12, 1971 w. v GERTH TURRET ANVIL RIVETING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Shoot 3 Filed Feb. 16, 1970 BY Cga/ C Air/ f 0d. 12, 1971 w, v, GERTH 3,611,713

TURRET ANVIL RIVETING MACHINE Filed Feb. 16, 1970 4 Sheets-Sheet :5

FIG. 5

INVIL N'IUR. WILLIAM V. GERTH C: l Air/1 United States Patent ifice 3,611,773 Patented Oct. 12, 1971 US. Cl. 72115 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A riveting machine having a reciprocable, spinning head for terminally deforming the shank of a rivet supported on an anvil is provided with a rotating turret mechanism for adjusting the axial separation between the anvil and the spinning head. The turret is formed as a rotatable turret plate having a number of upstanding abutment members, such as bolts, which selectively engage a cam shoe formed on the lower end of an axially reciprocable anvil. The heights of the abutment members may be preset to required different values or such abutment members may be adjustably mounted on the turret plate so that their heights can be adjusted as required.

The present invention relates to riveting machines and more particularly to a riveting machine of the type comprising a spinning head for terminally deforming the shank of a rivet supported on an anvil of such a machine.

Although riveting machines having an operating stroke length which can be varied are already known, many such machines are not specifically suited to manufacturing operations in which each article of manufacture requires several individual riveting operations in which the effective rivet length varies a number of times.

It is accordingly a principal object of the persent invention to provide a riveting machine which is particularly suited to the aforementioned type of manufacturing operation.

It is another object of the persent invention to provide an improved riveting machine of the type having an anvil adapted to support a head of a rivet and an axially separated and reciprocable spinning head adapted, on spinning rotation about its longitudinal axis, terminally to deform a shank of the rivet supported on the anvil.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a highly versatile riveting machine which is simple and reliable in both its construction and its operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In its broadest scope, the present invention provides an improvement for a riveting machine comprising an anvil adapted to support a head of a rivet and an axially separated and reciprocable spinning head adapted, on rotation about its longitudinal axis, terminally to deform a shank of a rivet supported on its anvil.

The improvement in accordance with the invention broadly comprises an anvil member having first and second ends and adapted at its first end to support the head of a rivet, such anvil member being reciprocably mounted for axial movement towards and away from the spinning head of such a machine in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spinning head, and a turret plate rotatably mounted for controlled rotational movement in a plane generally perpendicular to the longtiudinal axis of the spinning head, said turret plate having a plurality of abutment members mounted thereon and said abutment members being adapted to be engaged selectively with the second end of the anvil member so that the axial separation of the first end of the anvil member and the spinning head is varied on rotating the turret plate.

In a machine in accordance with the invention, the aforementioned abutment members may be initially mounted on the turret plate so as to extend therefrom for different distances so that, in use, the axial separation of the spinning head and the first end of the anvil member is selectively variable to a number of predetermined values. Alternatively, the abutment members may be adjustably secured to the anvil turret plate so that the aforementioned axial separations can be adjusted as required for specific riveting operations to a desired set of values.

Other objects, features and advantages of the persent invention will become apparent as the description herein proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described merely by way of illustration with reference to the accompanying drawings in which the corresponding components are identified throughout by the same legends, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of one embodiment of a riveting machine in accordance with the invention with certain parts cut away to reveal elements which would otherwise be concealed;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevation showing the engagement of one of the abutment members of the riveting machine of FIG. 1 with the second or lower end of the anvil member thereof;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the turret plate of the riveting machine of FIGS. 1 and 2, and of the turret mounting plate with a portion of its associated drive mechanism and brake means;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 44 of FIG. 1 and showing the manner in which the aforementioned brake means is mounted in the riveting machine;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of the turret plate of the riveting machine of the preceding figures, and also showing several other component parts of that machine;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a typical arrangement for the pneumatic control system of the riveting machine of FIGS. 1 to 5 showing the rest positions of the several components illustrated therein;

FIG. 7 is a similar diagram to that of FIG. 6 but showing the positions of the several components after operation of the riveting machine has been initiated; and

FIG. 8 is a similar diagram to those of FIGS. 6 and 7 but showing the positions of the several components of the machine after a riveting operation has been completed.

The riveting machine shown fragmentarily in FIG. 1 is provided with a conventional spinning head including a shaft 12 and arcuate-sectioned rollers 14 freely pivotally mounted at the lower end of the shaft 12 by means of a pivot pin 16. The shaft 12 is journalled in a conventional manner in the head member fragmentarily shown at 18 both for spinning rotation about its longitudinal axis and for axial reciprocation as is conventional and as will readily be understood by those skilled in the art.

As is the case with conventional spinning head riveting machines, the riveting machine shown in the accompanying drawings comprises an anvil having an anvil head 20 adapted to support the head of a rivet so that, on downward and spinning movement of the spinning head, the shank of such a rivet is terminally deformed by the rollers 14. For the purpose of preventing rotation of such a rivet, the anvil head 20 is provided, as is conventional, with a roughened and recessed top surface 21.

Having described the conventional features of the riveting machine shown in the accompanying drawings, the

novel features of that machine will now be explained. From FIG. 1, it will be seen that the anvil head is integrally formed with a downwardly extending axial shaft 22 received within a generally cylindrical recess 23 extending downwardly from the first or top surface of an anvil body generally indicated at 24 and removably retained in this recess by a set screw 25 received within a threaded radial bore 26 in the anvil body 24. At its second or lower end the anvil body 24 is provided with a cam shoe 27 which is retained in position by a pin 28 and which is provided with a cam surface 29, the purpose of which will become apparent as the description herein proceeds. The anvil body 24 is freely reciprocably mounted for axial movement towards and away from the spinning head rollers 14 in a direction generally parallel to the aforementioned longitudinal axis of the spinning head and as indicated by the double-headed arrow A of FIG. 2. To this end, a reduced diameter portion 32 of the anvil body 24 is slidably received within a bore 33 in a frame member 34 of the riveting machine, a sleeve liner 35 being provided to reduce friction and wear.

Disposed below the frame member 34, there is rotatably mounted a turret comprising a turret plate 38 and a turret mounting plate 39. This turret is mounted for controlled rotational movement in the direction indicated by the arrow B in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 in a plane which is generally perpendicular to the aforementioned longitudinal axis of the spinning head. Mounted on the turret plate 38 in a manner to be explained in greater detail hereinafter, there are provided a plurality of abutment members 41 to 46. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the six abutment members 41 to 46 are in the form of round-headed bolts having shaft 48 threadingly and partially received in bores 49 provided in the turret plate 38. It will be understood by reference to FIG. 2 that the bolts 41 to 46 are adapted to have their rounded heads selectively engaged with the cam surface 29 of the cam shoe 27. Each of the bolts 41 to 46 is provided with a locking nut 50 which can be screwed tightly against the top surface of the turret plate 38 to prevent accidental movement of the bolt 41 to 46.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, it will be seen that the turret plate 38 is formed with a pair of generally diametrically opposed, non-threaded bores 52 and 53, which, when the turret plate 38 is correctly in position on the turret mounting plate 39, are in alignment with threaded bores 54 and 55 respectively provided in the turret mounting plate 39. Set screws 56 and 57 received within these bores 52, 54 and 53, 55 respectively serve to secure the turret plate 38 to the turret mounting plate 39 for co-rotation therewith.

To facilitate correct positioning of the turret plate 38 on the turret mounting plate 39, the latter is provided with a semicircular upstanding peripheral rim 58 which, when the turret plate 38 is correctly disposed on the turret mounting plate 39, abuts the peripheral edge of the turret plate 38. It will now be appreciated that to fit the turret plate 38 in position all that is necessary is to slide the latter into position as indicated by the arrow C in FIG. 3 and then to rotate it until the bores 52 and 53 are aligned with the bores 54 and 55 respectively. It should be noted that it is not necessary to lift the turret plate 38 in a vertical direction with respect to the turret mounting plate 39 either during its removal therefrom or during its fitting thereon. This is particularly advantageous since it involves no additional axial retraction of the spinning head.

Reference will now be made to FIG. 3 to describe the structure for providing rotary drive motion to the turret plate 38. To this end, the turret mounting plate 39 is integrally formed with a downwardly extending cylindrical skirt 60 in which an outer member 61 of a unidirectional drive transmission in the form of a free-wheeling roller clutch is retained by a split ring 62 received within an internal annular recess 63 provided for this purpose in the skirt 60.

Referring now in greater detail to the structure of the aforementioned clutch, it will be seen that, in addition to the outer member 61, this clutch also comprises a shaft 64 drivingly engaging the member 61 through rollers 65 suitably housed in tapered grooves 66 formed in the inner peripheral surface of the member 61, the manner of operation of this type of clutch mechanism being well known and calling for no further comment herein. A threaded axial bore 68 in the upper end of the shaft 64 receives a set screw 69 which passes freely through a central bore 70 in the turret mounting plate 39. It will be seen that the upper end of the bore 70 is countersunk at 71 to receive the head 72 of the set screw 69. The turret mounting plate 39 is keyed to the outer member 61 of the aforementioned clutch for co-rotation therewith by a set screw 74 received within a non-axial, non-threaded bore 75 in the turret mounting plate 39 and within a corresponding threaded bore 76 in the member 61.

The shaft 64 extends downwardly from the clutch and is keyed at 77 in proximity to its lower end to a pinion gear 78 in driving engagement with a rack gear 79 driven in turn by a pneumatically controlled piston rod indicated somewhat fragmentarily at 80. The drive transmission mechanism is essentially completed by an adjustable band brake, the structure of which will best be understood by reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. A resilient metal band 81 is secured at one end within a base housing 82 of the riveting machine by means of a bolt 83 extending through a terminal flange 84 of the band 81. The band 81 extends peripherally around the skirt 60 of the aforementioned turret mounting plate 39 and is secured at its second end to a rod 85 which extends through a suitable opening in the base housing 82. A washer 86 disposed around the rod 85 in proximity to its outer end serves to retain a helical compression spring 87 about the rod 85 under compression within a bore 96 formed for this purpose in the base housing 82. The outer end of the rod 85 is threaded and an adjusting nut 88 is screwed thereon for the purpose of allowing the braking force exerted by the band 81 on the skirt 60 to be adjusted as required. The band 81 is usefully provided on its internal surface with a lining 89 of friction material currently used for brake linings.

The riveting machine shown in the accompanying drawings is essentially completed by an indexing mechanism adapted to control rotational movement of the turret. This indexing mechanism comprises a pneumatically controlled retractable pin 90 extending from a housing 91 and controlled in a manner yet to be described by compressed air supplied by line 92. The pin 90 projects into the rotary path of a plurality of indexing pins 93 secured to and extending radially outwardly from the peripheral surface of the turret plate 38. In order to reduce the risk of damage to the indexing mechanism, the housing 91 is pivotally mounted on the machine by bolt 94 and a buffer in the form of a band 95 of sponge foam or other resilient material absorbs the impact force when the pin 90 is abutted by one of the pins 93.

Having completed the description of the mechanical structure of the riveting machine shown in the accoming drawings, the pneumatic control system shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings will now be described. Referring first to FIG. 6, the shaft 12 carrying the riveting head is shown as being connected to a piston head disposed in a double-acting pneumatic cylinder 101 having air lines 102 and 103. FIG. 6 also shows the aforementioned piston rod 80 as being connected to a piston head 104 disposed in a double-acting pneumatic cylinder 105 having air lines 106 and 107. The retractable pin 90 of FIG. 5 is shown as being connected to a piston head 108 disposed in a single-acting pneumatic cylinder 109 having an air line 92 and a return spring 110, the purpose of which will become apparent as the description herein proceeds.

The pneumatic control system also includes two pneumatically-operated and spring-biassed 5-way valves generally indicated at 111 and 112, an air storage tank 113, a spring-biassed and foot-operated control valve 114 and a spring-biassed pilot valve 115.

Referring now in greater detail to the -way valve 111, it will be seen that this valve is provided with ports for the aforementioned air lines 102 and 103 from the cylinder 101 for controlling movement of the riveting head, with two exhaust ports connected to air venting lines 116 and 117, and with an air inlet port for receiving presurrized air from an appropriate source (not shown) through an air supply line 118. The valve 111 is controlled as indicated schematically at 119 in response to the air pressure within a control line 120 and is normally springbiassed to the position actually shown in FIG. 6.

The 5-way valve 112 is generally similar to the valve 111 and includes ports connected to the aforementioned air lines 106 and 107 for the supply of air to the cylinder 105 for controlling movement of the piston rod 80 to rotate the turret plate 38 in a manner yet to be described. It will also be noted that the aforementioned air line 92 for controlling operation of the retractable pin 90 is connected to the aforementioned air line 107. Referring further to the 5-way Valve 112, it will be seen that this valve 112 has two exhaust ports connected to air venting lines 121 and 122 and an air inlet port for receiving pressurized air from the aforementioned source (not shown) through an air supply line 123. The valve 112 is controlled as indicated schematically at 124 in response to pressure within the control line 120 and is normally spring-biassed to the position actually shown in FIG. 6.

Compressed air from the aforementioned supply source (not shown) is also fed by an air supply line 125 to the foot-operated control valve 114 for transfer to the air tank 113 through an air transfer line 126. The control valve 114 also includes a supply port connected by an air line 127 to the aforementioned control line 120. The control valve 114 is normally urged by spring means into the position actually shown in FIG. 6 but, on operation by foot pressure, this valve 114 permits air flow from the air tank 113 to the air line 127.

The spring-biassed pilot valve 115 is adapted to vent the control line 120 when required and, for this purpose, includes a venting port connected to an air venting line 128. Operation of the pilot valve 115 is actuated by an arm 129 adapted to be engaged by a suitable contact shown schematically at 130 on the shaft 12 when the latter reaches its lowermost position, i.e. after a riveting operation has been completed. The pilot valve 115 is connected to the control line 120 by an air line 131.

The operation of the described pneumatic control system will now be briefly summarized. With the several components of the system in the rest positions illustrated in FIG. 6, it will be seen that the foot-operated control valve 114 is operative to transfer pressurized air from the air supply line 125 to the air storage tank 113 while the 5-way valve 111 supplies pressurized air from the air supply line 118 to the lower end of the cylinder 101 through the air line 103 to maintain the shaft 12 and consequently the riveting head of the machine in its uppermost position, the line 102 being vented through the valve 111 to the air venting line 117. Similarly, the 5-way valve 112 is operative to transfer pressurized air from the supply line 123 to the lines 107 and 92 to urge the piston rod 80 outwardly of the cylinder 105, i.e. to the left in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6 and to urge the retractable pin 90 into its outermost position. At this time, the other end of the cylinder 105 (FIG. 6) is vented by the line 106 through the valve 112 to the air venting line 122. At this time, no control pressure is present in the control line 120.

Foot operation of the control valve 114- is elfective to connect the air transfer line 126 from the air storage tank 113 to the air line 127 to permit the flow of air to the control line 120 as indicated by the arrow D in FIG. 7. The resulting pressure increase'in the control line 120 is effective to switch the 5-way valves 111 and 112 to the positions shown in FIG. 7 and consequently air then flows from the air supply line 123 through the valve 112 and through line 106 to the outer end of the cylinder 105 to retract the piston rod inwardly, i.e. to the right in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5. Such retraction of the piston rod 80 and of the rack gear 79 secured thereto causes the shaft 64 (FIG. 3) to rotate in a direction opposite to that indi cated by the arrow B (FIG. 1) and such rotation is taken up by movement of the rollers 65 to the wider ends of the tapered grooves 66. Consequently, the turret plate 38 does not rotate during this stage of the operation of the ma chine.

At this stage, the cylinder 109 and the cylinder 105 rearwardly of the piston 104 are vented through lines 92 and 107 respectively to the valve 112 and then to the air venting line 121. The retractable pin is consequently retracted by the spring means 110 provided for this purpose in the cylinder 109.

Referring further to FIG. 7, it will be seen that the aforementioned actuation of the 5-way valve 111 is effective to cause air to be transferred from the air supply line 118 to the line 102 to move the piston head and the shaft 12 downwardly with air from below the piston head 100 being vented through line 103 to the air venting line 116.

Such downward movement of the shaft 12 by the air above the piston head 100 in the cylinder 101 continues until the particular riveting operation is completed at which time the contact 130' engages the arm 129 of the pilot valve 115, as shown in FIG. 8 in turn to permit the escape of air from the control line 120 through the line 131 to the venting line 128 as indicated by arrow F in FIG. 8. At this stage, the foot-operated valve 114 will have been released so as to return to its closed position as shown in FIG. 8.

The resulting pressure reduction in the control line 120 permits the springs of the 5-way valves 111 and 112 to operate to return these valves to their rest positions as shown in FIG. 6 to cause the shaft 12 to be retracted by the flow of air from the air supply line 118 through the valve 111 and the line 103 to the lower end of the cylinder 101. Similarly, the valve 112 is effective to permit air flow to the cylinder 109 and to the rearward end of the cylinder 105 through line 107 to move the piston rod 80 and the rack gear 79 to the left in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5. Such movement of the rack gear 79 causes rotation of the turret plate 38 in the direction of the arrow B. The retractable pin 90 is extended by pressure in the cylinder 109 so that rotation of the turret plate 38 is halted by abutment against that retractable pin 90 of an appropriate one of the indexing pins 93.

The manner of use of the machine shown in the accompanying drawings will now be described insofar as it differs from the operation of a conventional spinning head riveting machine and to the extent that such further description is necessary for a thorough understanding of the invention.

Assuming that the illustrated machine is to be used in a manufacturing operation in which each article being manufactured involves the use of several rivets of different final shank lengths, the bolts 41 to 46 are first adjusted by loosening the locking nuts 50 and unscrewing or screwing these bolts in the threaded bores 49 so that the respective separation with each bolt in position below the cam shoe 27 between the top surface 21 of the anvil head 20 and the spinning head rollers 14 is as required.

The locking nuts 50 are then tightened and the aforementioned foot-operated control valve 114 is operated to lower the spinning head which is rotated in a conventional manner by means not shown. As already explained, the turret plate 38 is automatically rotated in the direction of the arrow B after such a riveting operation has been completed. For the next riveting operation with a rivet of a different shank length, the controls are again operated 7 to lower the spinning head and then to rotate the turret table as required.

As hereinbefore indicated, the braking action of the band 81 on the drive transmission mechanism can be adjusted by turning the nut 88.

Although the invention has been described with reference to the use of a turret plate above which the bolts 41 to 46 extend for distances nhich can be adjusted as required, it will be appreciated that there may well be circumstances under which such adjustability is not needed. In such a case, the turret plate 38 may alternatively be provided with a plurality of permanently mounted and non-adjustable upstanding abutment members of different lengths. When, with such a machine, it is desired to operate the riveting machine with a different sequence of rivet shank lengths, it would simply be necessary to replace the turret plate in the manner already described herein and to insert a turret plate having a different set of abutment members thereon.

The use of turret plates which as described are not only replaceable but which also have adjustable upstanding abutment members provided thereon is however particularly advantageous.

Various modifications can be made within the scope of the inventive concept disclosed. Accordingly, it is intended that what is set forth herein should be regarded as illustrative of such concept and not for the purpose of limiting protection to any particular embodiment thereof, and that only such limitations should be placed upon the scope of protection to which the inventor hereof is entitled, as justice dictates.

I claim:

1. In a riveting machine comprising an anvil adapted to support a head of a rivet and an axially separated and reciprocable spinning head adapted, on spinning rotation about its longitudinal axis, terminally to deform a shank of a rivet supported on said anvil, the improvement which comprises an anvil member having first and second ends and adapted at said first end to support a head of a rivet, said anvil member being reciprocably mounted for axial movement towards and away from said spinning-head in a direction generally parallel to said longitudinal axis of said spinning head, and a turret plate rotatably mounted for controlled rotational movement in a plane generally perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said spinning head, said turret plate having a plurality of abutment members mounted thereon, and said abutment members being adapted to be engaged selectively with said second end of said anvil member, whereby the axial separation of said spinning head and said first end of said anvil member can be varied by rotating said turret.

2. A riveting machine as defined in claim 1 in which said anvil member is formed at its second end with a cam surface adapted to facilitate its axial movement on its engagement with said abutment members on rotation of said turret.

3. A riveting machine as defined in claim l in which said abutment members extend for different distances from said turret plate whereby said axial separation of said spinning head and said first end of said anvil member can be varied by rotation of said turret.

4. A riveting machine as defined in claim 1 in which each said abutment member is adjustably mounted on said turret plate whereby the distance which said abutment member extends therefrom can be adjusted so as to correspond to a required value for said axial separation of said spinning head and said first end of said anvil member.

5. A riveting machine as defined in claim 4 in which each said abutment member is threadingly received within a bore in said turret plate and in which locking nuts are provided for the purpose of maintaining said abutment members in required positions with respect thereto.

6. A riveting machine as defined in claim 1 in which said turret plate is detachably secured to a turret mounting plate for controlled co-rotation therewith.

7. A riveting machine as defined in claim 6 in which said turret plate is detachably secured to said turret mounting plate by at least one removable fastening member and in which, after removal of said fastening member, said turret plate can be removed by displacement relative to said turret mounting plate by transverse movement substantially in the plane of rotation of said turret plate.

8. A riveting machine as defined in claim 7 in which said turret mounting plate and said turret plate are provided with co-operating peripheral abutments to facilitate their relative positioning.

9. A riveting machine as defined in claim 8 in which said turret mounting plate comprises a generally semicircular peripheral flange adapted to engage a corresponding semicircular peripheral edge of said turret plate.

10. A riveting machine as defined in claim 1 in which said turret plate additionally comprises an individual indexing member associated with each said abutment member and in which drive means are additionally provided controllably to rotate said turret plate stepwise through angular displacements corresponding to the angular separations of respective pairs of said abutment members.

11. A riveting machine as defined in claim 10 in which said drive means comprises a pinion gear drivingly engaging said turret plate through a unidirectional drive transmission and a reciprocable rack gear engaging said pinion gear and adapted, on movement in a single direction, to drive said pinion gear and so to rotate said turret plate.

12. A riveting machine as defined in claim 11 which additionally comprises adjustable brake means adapted to retard rotational movement of said turret plate.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS LOWELL A. LARSON, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 72448, 473, 482 

